Downtown Burritos Cocina Mexicana — the former Downtown Bakery — returns to service this Friday

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

After being closed for nearly eight months, Downtown Burritos Cocina Mexicana (FKA Downtown Bakery) will open this Friday morning at 69 First Ave. between Fourth Street and Fifth Street. 

Co-owners and brothers Ivan (left) and Mario Marín passed the Health Department inspection yesterday... and they previously got the OK from Con Ed for the gas service ...

As we first reported, Ivan and Mario, the longtime managers (20 years) of Downtown Bakery, bought the longtime business (established 1990) earlier this spring when the owner retired. 

This came on the heels of a DOH-mandated closure in February for Downtown Bakery operating with an expired health permit. The new owners then decided to take the opportunity to update the interior.

In renaming the business, the brothers mentioned the confusion regarding the inclusion of "Bakery" — people would call and ask about baked goods.

Daily hours moving forward: 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Signage arrives for Downtown Burritos Cocina Mexicana on 1st Avenue

A new era is closer to starting for an old favorite. Signage arrived on Friday for Downtown Burritos Cocina Mexicana at 69 First Ave. (The DTB is short for Downtown Burritos.)

As we first reported, Ivan and Mario Marín, the longtime managers (20 years) of Downtown Bakery, bought the longtime business (established 1990) earlier this spring when the owner decided to retire. 

This came on the heels of a DOH-mandated closure in February for Downtown Bakery operating with an expired health permit. The new owners then decided to spruce up the interior here between Fourth Street and Fifth Street. 

In renaming the business, the brothers mentioned the confusion regarding the inclusion of "Bakery" — people would call and ask about baked goods.

(Thanks to the reader for the signage tip!) 

A new name and (familiar) owners for the currently closed Downtown Bakery

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

When Downtown Bakery reopens at 69 First Ave., the delicious and affordable quick-serve Mexican restaurant will have new (familiar) owners and a new name. 

On Feb. 21, as we first reported, the DOH closed Downtown Bakery for operating with an expired health permit. When we checked in with them last month, management was navigating the red tape to get a new permit and using the downtime to spruce up the small space here between Fourth Street and Fifth Street.

Now we learn that the longtime owner decided to retire, and the veteran managers (from left above), Ivan and Mario Marín, are taking over the reins.

In addition, the brothers say they are changing the name to Downtown Burritos Cocina Mexicana. 

Ivan and Mario have worked for 20-plus years here and expect to make only a few cosmetic changes. They also mentioned the confusion regarding "Bakery" in the name — people would call and ask about baked goods. 

Meanwhile, they hope to reopen as soon as the interior renovations are complete...

Downtown Bakery preparing to reopen after being sidelined with an expired license

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

Updated 5/11 here

Today marks two months that Downtown Bakery at 69 First Ave. has been dark. 

On Feb. 21, as we first reported, the DOH closed the delicious and affordable quick-serve Mexican restaurant for operating with an expired health permit. (Updated.)

Last evening, I ran into the management, who said the license had expired, and it was challenging to cut through red tape to get a new one. They want people to understand it was an expired license, not food- or hygiene-related issues.

The good news: They plan to reopen here between Fourth Street and Fifth Street in two to three weeks and have decided to use the downtime to renovate the small space, including installing a new floor...

And they say the menu, with some of the best breakfast burritos (not to mention tamales!) around, will remain the same...

Downtown Bakery is closed for now

Photos by Stacie Joy 

The great Downtown Bakery is temporarily closed on First Avenue between Fourth Street and Fifth Street. 

A DOH notice dated Tuesday states that the quick-serve Mexican restaurant was "operating without a permit."

A follow-up handwritten note states they "will resume working as soon as we resolve this issue."

A neighbor noted, "City government just wants their money and to punish small businesses." 

Come back soon!

Downtown Bakery returns

From the EVG comments... inexpensive eats favorite Downtown Bakery reopened here on First Avenue near Fourth Street for takeout and delivery. You can also call ahead for pickup: (212) 254-1757. They created a new pickup window right inside the door and sealed off the space with Plexiglass. For now, they are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, though those hours may change depending on the business.

For more help with what's open, check out the interactive map created by the East Village Community Coalition (EVCC) along with residents Perry Leung, Paul Gale and Zhi Keng He ... the EVG link is here ... the EVCC link is here.

B&H Dairy and Downtown Bakery: Still inexpensive, still good

[EVG file photo of Downtown Bakery]

Over at Eater yesterday, Robert Sietsema contributed "Another Dozen Cheap Eats Classics in New York City" list … which includes two EVG favorites:

• B&H Dairy at 127 Second Ave. between East Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. "Since 1947 it’s been catering to dieters, vegetarians, and cheap dining enthusiasts, who fill up on a bowl of soup and buttered challah bread made right on the premises — it threatens to overshadow everything else."

• Downtown Bakery at 69 First Ave. between East Fourth Street and East Fifth Street. The restaurant "serves an all-Mex menu of cut-rate burritos, breakfast tacos, enchiladas, chilaquiles, hard- and soft-shell tacos, and other quick grab-and-go delights, many with a Pueblan flair."